News and PR

Mobile phone giants HTC and Samsung ended last week on a rough note, falling short of sales expectations. HTC, in particular, was hit hard by a 83% drop in profits from last year, while Samsung, who still banked a cool $8.3 billion, fell short of their goals for this past quarter.

Cutting into both companies profits heavily were larger than usual marketing costs as both companies heavily pushed their flapship phones, the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4. Both gadget companies' fortunes now rest on their next wave of phones.

HTC is putting all their eggs in the HTC One Mini basket. The HTC One Mini is a smaller version of the highly-rated HTC One, and will reportedly feature a smaller screen and somewhat slower processor. For fans of the HTC One, don't worry, this phone still features that solid aluminum body that really makes the phone feel excellent in your hands.

Likewise, Samsung is pushing their own miniature device. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini follows the pattern of HTC's mini phone, featuring a smaller screen, and poorer performance to go with a less sophisticated camera.

Both phone companies are betting it all on smaller being better in the next wave of the phone battle. The battle is particularly important for Samsung, who rely on their mobile phone division to bring in up to 70% of their total profits. Samsung is also a world leader in electronic components and other consumer electronics. The company is also looking to up its cash flow to fund five new research centers to boost their Research and Development department. Also, not far down the road is the next phone from electronics giant Apple. Both companies have to have their eyes and ears open to see what the heavyweight smartphone maker has coming down the pipe and how it will effect their bottom line.

The training wheels are barely off BlackBerry 10, the operating system and last hope of Research In Motion, and already the vultures are circling again among a wave of bad news and dead air. The company unveiled sad sales numbers following the launch of its Q10 and Z10 phones and has now revealed that a promised BlackBerry 10 update for its Playbook tablet has been shelved, leaving the adopters of the device twisting in the wind.

The news began with the revelation that BlackBerry shipped only 2.7 million BlackBerry 10 equipped devices. While the company did move 6.8 million total phones, it’s troubling to think that for all the razzle dazzle of the BB10 unveil, that only 40% of their sales revolved around their new devices. With the being said, that has been the moral of the story with BlackBerry over the last couple years. Sure, they keep trying, but for whatever reason the excitement just doesn’t carry over into sales. The buzz is never there for BlackBerry

In the shadows of those numbers, the news creeped out that BlackBerry had decided to pull the plug on its first and only tablet, the Playbook. BlackBerry called the audible some time after BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins declared that tablets were obsolete. BlackBerry committed a cardinal sin with this announcement. BlackBerry, a company which depends on a niche, betrayed that sliver of the market after blowing its promise to support its now abandoned tablet with its new operating system.

The fact of the matter is this. BlackBerry is going to fail if it doesn’t find a way to excite both its existing customers and potential new users. Its troubling numbers and broken promises are leading BlackBerry down a path it nearly road-tripped down in the past. The road to ruin is a slippery slope, and you don’t usually get a second chance.

The BlackBerry Q5 may have finally crept out of the shadows and reportedly onto South African and UK shelves after releasing last month in the UAE, and is expected to move on to other emerging markets over the next month. The QWERTY enabled BlackBerry Q5 was announced back in May as a mid-level, yet still feature packed, device targeted towards younger and more frugal audiences in emerging markets.

BlackBerry, the canadian smartphone maker and top brand with Puremobile, is slowly but surely unleashing its third phone this year following the release of the Z10 and Q10 earlier in 2013. The Q5 immediately resembles the latter, adopting the traditional look of BlackBerry’s fabled Bold, Curve, and now Q10. The Q5 features a 3.1” 720px720p display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and the new BlackBerry 10 Operating System. Camera-wise, the Q5 will feature a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD recording, and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera ideal for BBM chatting.

Unlike prior BlackBerry phones, the company is looking to make a new visual splash by offering this model of the phone in four different colours. The Q5 will eventually release in white, black, pink, and a particularly dynamic red. The white and red models are sure to impress as they appear to be very sharp and stylish.

While we are in the know about the features of this phone, we are still quite in the dark over this phone’s North American release. When the phone was unveiled it was made clear that this phone was going to be marketed towards emerging markets. At this point no real indication has been given regarding when this phone will cross the pond and release in North American markets. BlackBerry’s presence in non-traditional and emerging markets has been its anchor throughout the storm it has faced globally. It seems they are content to wait things out in the safely of Eurasia before tackling the North American market again.

The tablet market has changed drastically over the last few years. What started as niche item has exploded into a revolution in business, education, gaming, and plain fun. It all began as a one man race with the Apple iPad, but has since spread to include tablets from Samsung, BlackBerry, HTC, Windows, Acer, Kobo, and more. But none have competed as hard as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Samsung's flagship tablet, and now the third iteration of the device is arriving in stores and its accessories will soon be arriving online.

Starting today, The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 will be available for preorder, with an on-sale date of July 9th. The Galaxy Tab 3 will ship in three different sizes. Firstly, a 7” model with 1024x600 resolution, and then an 8” and 10.1” model, each with a resolution of 1280x800. These tablets will be shipping in two colours, white and golden brown (black), and will operate on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system in the 7” model, and Android 4.2 on the two larger versions. Inside, the tablets will all be running on dual-core processors with the 7.0 running at 1.2GHz, and the two larger tablets getting boosted by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor on the 8.0 and a 1.6Ghz dual-core processor on the 10.1.

The 7.0 Tab is priced at $199, with the 8.0 and 10.1 shipping for $299 and $399 respectively. These tablets will be available at all major retail outlets and online platforms. Puremobile will be there to provide you with all the top accessories for your new Samsung Galaxy Tab 3. Our store will be carrying cases, folios, stylus', bags, and many more for your new tablet. Check out Puremobile to get the latest information on the top accessories for the newest entry into the Galaxy Tab lineage. Puremobile also carries accessories for your favourite mobiles by Apple, Samsung, HTC, BlackBerry, Sony, and more.

The biggest story these days on the mobile technology front has got to be the news and speculation surrounding Apple's upcoming iPhone 5S. And Pure Mobile's been keeping up with all the talk.

Here, we're rounding up the most important news, leaks and speculation, from iPhone 5S accessories to leaked pics and a prospected release date. Read on to get the scoop on what to expect from the next iteration of the iPhone, with details about hardware, software and gadgets and accessories.

Though recent speculation from the likes of International Digital Times hints that the upcoming iPhone 5S may only hit the market at the end of August or in early September, some accessories makers already seem to be gearing up for it.

While accessories maker Spigen is already encouraging its website visitors to "stay up to date on the iPhone 5S case and screen protector collection as it arrives," they're apparently not the only company already at work on iPhone 5S accessories.

Meanwhile, as Phones Review reported, accessories maker Zagg has already started promoting their line of iPhone 5S screen protectors. Though as the Phones Review article notes, without a confirmed release date for the iPhone 5S, Zagg may be "jumping the gun a little."

But enough about the accessories. What about the device itself? Well, June 24, most leading tech sites were running headlines about some leaked pictures of what may be an iPhone 5S prototype. In particular, the image of what is supposedly the backend of the new iPhone has been making the rounds.

The backends of an iPhone 5S prototype and iPhone 5 side by side

Shown next to an iPhone 5, the picture reveals that the prototype boasts an A7 chip and, in the words of one Gizmodo writer "pack a new model number."

BGR says the differences seen between the two iPhone models in the leaked image point to "an extensive internal overhaul." Moreover, there's been speculation that the iPhone 5S will include a fingerprint scanner. And yet another leaked picture shows a dual-LED flash with two different colored LED lights next to the camera.

The dual-LED camera flash lights of the iPhone 5S

Though these newly leaked images are certainly the biggest revelations we've had yet concerning the iPhone 5S, they may not be enough to truly satisfy those eagerly anticipating the arrival of the newest iPhone.

But you can be sure that Pure Mobile will be closely following all the developments and news. And we'll be keeping you up to date on any word about iPhone 5S accessories, specs, or conclusive release date.

Samsung announcement for the London premiere of new Galaxy and ATIV devices

For the past couple of months now at Pure Mobile, Samsung's Galaxy S4 has been the big talk. We've practically been eating, sleeping and breathing Galaxy S4 cases and accessories since the device's launch. And, as of this month, Galaxy S4 sales had started to close in on those of the iPhone 5.

But we can hardly expect this to be the last of Samsung's successes. And the company announced today that it will be holding an upcoming roadshow event, the "Premiere 2013" in London next month.

The teaser poster for the June 20th event mentions Galaxy and ATIV devices, so we're pretty sure the company will be unveiling its latest Android and Windows devices. As for the teaser pics on the poster, which don't exactly spell things out, Engadget thinks they could relate to a a tablet or phone, laptop, and camera:

Oh, and speaking of rumors...before its official unveiling, Samsung was touting the Galaxy S4 as "the next big thing." But a recent leak could suggest that that Galaxy S4's successor could actually be the next little thing.

According to BGR, which cites various sources, "Samsung is working on half a dozen different versions of its new flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone, including a more manageable variant called the Galaxy S4 mini."

And the fact that the device – presumably a smaller-scale version of the Galaxy S4 – actually briefly showed up online in Samsung's official app catalogue for the UK indicates that this is more than mere rumor. Indeed, as BGR put it, "the phone has now been confirmed by Samsung, albeit accidentally."

So while we at Pure Mobile will probably still be obsessing over the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 accessories for the next month or so, we've got a feeling that, come the London event, we'll have an all new lineup of Samsung smartphones, tablets and other devices to sweep us off our feet.

Oh, yes, they have arrived! We at Pure Mobile are pretty pumped as fun new gadgets and accessories for BlackBerry Q10 start rolling in. We've been closely following the new BlackBerry smartphones ever since they were mere plans up until their unveiling and release. And now that they're here, this latest slew of gadgets is just the cherry on top.

If you're looking for BlackBerry covers and cases to outfit your new phone, we've got you covered. From soft shell case to hard shell cases and even leather covers, a bunch of new models for the Q10 are just arriving.

BlackBerry Leather Pocket Case for BlackBerry Q10

Among them are official Blackberry cases, like the new BlackBerry Leather pocket, as well as products from leading labels, like the Feather, one of the most popular Incipio phone cases.

For the time being, the lightweight but tough Feather case is only available in black. But a bunch of new colors and finishes are on the way too, as are an even wider lineup of accessories for BlackBerry Q10, including Inicipio's Dual Pro case and even more official BlackBerry covers and cases. So stay tuned!

New iPhone 5S and entry-level iPhone rumored to come in different colors

The biggest story of the week in mobile tech is hands-down the collection of rumors surrounding Apple's upcoming iPhone 5S and cheap, entry-level iPhone. There's no solid proof to support or deny anything yet. But, there's already been talk of possible new colors, a date for unveiling, and even size options, which would of course mean a whole range of fun new gadgets and accessories for iPhone's next incarnations.

The first rumor, that of possible production and unveiling dates comes from a pretty reputable source, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). They reported recently that Apple is planning to begin production of the new iPhone "in the second quarter of this year," or sometime between now and June.

They also allude to the upcoming iPhone 5S as "similar in size and shape to its current one." So maybe Apple isn't going to make you ditch your iPhone 5 cases just yet, as you had to do with the upgrade from the 4s.

Meanwhile, the WSJ says that Apple is still working with parteners in Asia on making a cheaper version of the iPhone, a 4-inch device that "that could be launched as soon as the second half of this year." They also say that the "cheap" iPhone may be available in different colors.

But people are also speculating that the iPhone 5S, as well as the rumored entry-level iPhone, will be available in different colors. Citing Macotakara, 9to5Mac reported that the iPhone 5S could be launching in up to three additional colors, as well as standard black and white.

And though the report from the WSJ left us hopeful that maybe some of our current iPhone 5 cases could convert as accessories for iPhone 5S, a report from BGR says the iPhone 5S will likely be available in at least two, if not three different screen sizes. So we really can't be sure until Apple decides it's time to let the cat out of the bag.

If the Windows Phone OS were a high school and the Nokia Lumia 920 were a student there, it would be the school star quarterback or head cheerleader. Citing data from AdDuplex, BGR says the flagship Nokia phone is "the most popular smartphone running Microsoft’s (MSFT) mobile operating system." It doesn't come as a huge surprise; the device is so strikingly attractive that even the Nokia carrying cases and accessories designed for it take a cue from its bold, colorful aesthetic.

Incipio Feather Case for Nokia Lumia 920 in Blue

The bright, eye-popping color of Nokia carrying cases, like Incipio's Feather Case, or other gadgets, like the Lumia 920 Wireless Charging plate, are just two such examples.

Nokia Wireless Charging Plates in bright colors to match the Lumia 920 line

But popularity isn't always about looks. And it may just be that Nokia tends to make a better phone. "in fact," says BGR, "AdDuplex found that Nokia accounts eight of the top 10 most popular Windows Phone devices, with HTC accounting for the remaining two."

But the sleek and punchy appeal of the Lumia 920 is hard to deny, and the device does have a pretty unique and memorable style. And if you're among the WIndows Phone users who prefer this latest flagship Nokia phone, you'll probably agree that bright and vibrant Nokia accessories, like flashy blue and yellow carrying cases and color-coordinated charging pads, are definitely in keeping with the spirit of this popular handset.

If you're anxiously awaiting the arrival not only of the Galaxy S4 but also of the slew of Samsung accessories that's bound to come along with it, you've got more in store for you than the typical lineup of carrying cases and skins.

A few days ago, Mobile Syrup reported on a leaked list of accessories for the device, which hint that the Samsung Galaxy S4 could, in fact, "be your 'life’s companion.'" That's because the list included all sorts of lifestyle products that go way beyond device protection, audio, storage, or usual range of mobile accessories.

Among these new Galaxy accessories are a number of health and fitness gadgets, designed to work with your phone as a sort of wellness system. These include a body scale that sends data to your phone via Bluetooth and Samsung's nes S-Health app.

That app is also at the heart of some of the other new Samsung accessories for the S4, like the S-Band bracelet. This wearable accessory works as a sleep pattern monitor and pedometer, and keeps track of calories burned.

And even when a typical accessory, like a Galaxy carrying Case, did show up in the list, it was a spin on the expected. With the S-View Cover, a windowed cover for the Galaxy S4's display, you egt a flip cover with auto wake-up function and a display window that gives you time, and battery notifications. It also lets you take or reject calls without opening the flip.

That's not to say there won't be tons of Samsung accessories out there for people who prefer their gadgets without all the bells and whistles; within weeks of its release, the Galaxy S4 should have carrying cases beyond count. But if you're looking for a phone that can be a lifestyle manager, the Galaxy S4's unique lineup of mobile accessories will probably make it the perfect fit.